Alkira Eco-Glamping Retreat

• Sleeps: 2
• Bedrooms: Open plan
• Bathrooms: Private external
• Minimum stay: 1 night

It’s hard to believe that Alkira Eco-Glamping Retreat is less than an hour from the bustling centre of Melbourne.  

Boasting 40 pure acres of farm and native bushland, you’ll be blissfully surrounded by the rolling hills and towering ash trees that characterise Emerald, part of Victoria’s breathtaking Dandenong Ranges.

Along with the farm’s resident ducks, horses, cows and alpacas (not to mention your welcoming hosts, Emily and Andrew), you’ll discover a lovingly handcrafted straw-bale yurt, styled and furnished with all the comforts of home.

Once an open-air artists’ studio, the north-facing yurt is perfectly positioned for you to relax and watch this incredible part of the world go by. Featuring stunning views of the distant Warburton Ranges, it’s the ideal setting for creative types looking for inspiration, or those who just want to retreat into the beauty of nature for a while.  

Watch the morning sunlight stream inside as you cradle a mug of fresh coffee, or head down to the sparkling fern-lined creek and dip your toes!

Rich in rustic luxury and attention to detail, your yurt includes heating, soft linen and fluffy towels. Games, books and magazines are thoughtfully provided, to help keep you entertained during those cosy evenings in. There’s also a well-equipped porch kitchenette, and a private shower room and toilet in a separate cabin close by.

Light the outdoor firepit by evening, and toast marshmallows by sunset as you chat the evening away. No matter how tired you are, we doubt you’ll be able to resist staying up to watch the stars appear in that clear, vast sky overhead.

At a glance

• A lovingly handcrafted straw-bale yurt, beautifully nestled within a 40-acre farm and bushland site in Emerald, part of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, Australia.
• Easily accessed by road, the site is less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne.
• The yurt is private, with your welcoming hosts also living on site. There are plenty of friendly resident animals to get to know, including cows, alpacas, horses and ducks.
• Towels and linen are provided, along with books, games and magazines to keep you entertained. There is a well-equipped kitchenette, and a separate, private shower and toilet.
• Close to many of the area’s famed local attractions, including the Puffing Billy steam train and Emerald Lake Park, with shops and restaurants within a short drive. Plenty of walking trails begin close by.

Features

• Adults Only

More information

Awake to a hearty breakfast, then why not take a wander around the farm and get acquainted with the friendly animals? You’ve also got the opportunity to get wonderfully lost in the eucalyptus bushland on site, and with plenty of amazing walking trails that begin just 20 metres away, there’s no excuse not to explore even further.

If you want to get up close and personal with the area, why not hop aboard Puffing Billy, a steam train and local icon that will take you through the Dandenong Ranges in style?  Don’t forget to stop off at Emerald Lake Park, ideal for a scenic picnic break.

In the mood for something a little different? A visit to the Tesselaar Tulip Farm, home to over one million spring flowers, promises a riot of beauty and colour, while the famous U-Pick Trail allows you to grab a basket and fill it to the brim with fresh, seasonal orchard produce.

With plenty of restaurants close by too, you’ll never be far from a new experience. Yet you might just decide to pour a drink, grab a book, and make yourself comfortable at your new-found yurt sanctuary.

Things to note

Photo shoot enquiries are welcomed. Not suitable for children and no pets are permitted. Check in time is between 2-10pm, check out is 10am. Booking fee and cleaning charges apply.

Photography credit: Jaccob McKay